Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Holding It


As I mentioned in Friday’s post, last week I attended an event for Mom Energy at the original Organic Avenue location. On our way down, after the “bite size” incident, Melissa and I spoke. I told Melissa that I feel I walk away from Ashley’s talks learning something. You’d think the same was true of all nutrition lectures but too often I feel I’m hearing information that isn’t new or presented in a way that leaves me thinking. Ashley started out the talk pointing out key things that we can all do to feel energized. At one point, each person attending was asked to pick one area they could improve upon. One man (clearly Mom Energy isn't just about moms or women) vowed to drink less alcohol, another to sleep more. I was having trouble coming up with something I wanted to drastically change because the truth is, I do whatever is in my power to feel good and rested. There was a degree of smugness as I mentally reviewed my “energy” practices.

 Then the topic of time management came up and Ashley asked if any of us were guilty of “holding it in” when we had to urinate. If there were guilt-o-meters mine would’ve been buzzing away. Because I see clients back to back, there is often no allotted to use the restroom. And I can’t even blame it entirely on client sessions because if I’m writing something or preoccupied, I can easily ignore the urge to go and had never thought about the consequences.

Ashley explained that urinating is one way of releasing toxins and that if you hold it, the toxins stay in. As the daughter of a urologist, she had been strongly advised against holding it. So I had it, my energy Achilles heel. I promised to work on it and Ashley has been tweeting me reminders since. Like everything else, I first had to research this holding it.  Turns out holding your urine can lead to UTI’s and other infections, as urine sitting in the bladder becomes a medium for bacteria to grow. Additionally kidney problems can develop as the bladder receives urine from the kidneys via the ureters. Incontinence is another possibility as your bladder becomes stretched  (not something I need after a bladder that’s still recovering from 2 pregnancies and as my mom says will “never be the same”) and for men holding it can cause pain in the testicles (nice). Another issue with holding it is that after the sphincter muscle is contracted it is difficult for it to full release when in fact you “go” leaving some urine in the bladder. This is called dysfunctional voiding. If you need a visual, check out this segment from The Doctors where they show what happens to your bladder when you hold it.

As much as all of this freaked me out, the real message I took from this was that we can’t ignore our body’s signals. Whether it’s fatigue or hunger or the need to use the bathroom, your body will compensate to get what it needs but not always in a positive manner. A lot of wellness comes down to time management and clearly there’s something wrong with my workday if I do not even have time to go to the restroom. In some ways I feel I “fit it all in” but like many working people and mothers it’s sometimes at my own expense.
Any health behavior you feel gets marginalized when you’re busy? Do you hold it? Maybe need to break and go right now? 

24 comments:

  1. I am such a wimp. I can not hold it! EVER. I hate the feeling so much that I would probably consider knocking on a stranger's door if I really had to go. Silly admission, having a full bladder makes me feel fat! How crazy is that.

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  2. I think you touched on a good point, some people are better "holders". I can hold it a crazy amount of time (did everyone need to know that?_). Interesting about bladder/feeling fat if it distends it's not in your head you are bloated. I'd love to see you knock on someone's door.

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  3. Totally guilty of this one!! so glad you blogged about this because I always hold it and did not even think of the consequences! And I completely relate to when you said that you "fit it all in" but sometimes at your own expense -- that's me =)

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  4. So glad I'm not the only one Lisa. You never know until you post. Yes, consequences, including adult diapers, aren't pretty. You "gotta go".

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  5. Good reminder! I've never thought about consequences of not 'going'. I get totally involved in what I'm doing, and can totally push it off. I, uh...gotta go. :)

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  6. Great post—isn't it amazing how we put really basic needs on hold when we're working? As someone blessed with, like, the smallest bladder ever, I can't say I'm guilty of this particular one, but if I'm really engaged in something I'm writing, I'll work to the point of being cranky-hungry because I don't want to risk losing a good thought.

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  7. I am not guilty of this but I have so many clients and co workers that are! I should forward this info on to them so they know it's not just me preaching it!

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  8. I'm so guilty. I have a similar schedule like yours and will just wait until I get a break. Now, when we are slower, I definitely go more often.
    This is such a great reminder.

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  9. Kristen, we're in it together and have to remind each other. Allison, forward it to all co-workers or post on the water cooler ha ha. Jess it's true, maybe that says something about our focus that we ignore our needs but for me also tend to ignore pain when running or don't want to think about it. I'm not sure if this is good or bad. Nat you crack me up, hope you "went".

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  10. Ashley's talk was great -- psyched to experience a great nutrition lecture. I'm not a fan of holding it per se - didn't you learn at mardi gras, you always seize the opportunity if a bathroom is available? Ha, but I'm definitely guilty of not prioritizing other health behaviors when I'm busy... hunger, sleep, exercise, and the list could go on forever!

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  11. Before I clicked on this post I said to my co-worker "I have to go pee." Instead I decided I would read your post first and then go - I only read a bit of the post and promptly went to the washroom :) thanks for the reminder!

    Sleep is definitely my downfall - I need to learn to go to bed earlier.

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  12. I'm totally guilty of this! It's usually because I fear dirty public bathrooms...not sure I can change this habit but I'm going to try!

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  13. One thing I often skip when busy is drinking water. I think subconsciously it's because I want to avoid making trips to the bathroom (since I am apparently so busy!). I could be feeling parched and I just ignore the feeling until things get unbearable. Terribly unhealthy habit, I know.

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  14. great point always try and reinforce this with J

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  15. I am so glad you posted. I would never have thought about this. My schedule is to cram in work hours during the am when kids are at preschool, then home with them in afternoons... and nowhere in the schedule do I ever feel like there's a "good" time to potty (and often can't even potty alone without an audience. Ah the joys of being a mom.) Thanks for the insight!!

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  16. Ameena, funny you mention that. I saw something where they showed a nasty gas station bathroom (you know the kind) and debated what was worse, potential e coli from bathroom or holding it. Holding it was worse. Sam, I can get parched too, much easier when I am at a desk (with a tea kettle). Rebecca, who is J? Regan- forget about alone potty, I've given up on any privacy at this point, at home, at work thankfully nobody follows me in but then again I don't go potty, thus this post.

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  17. ohmygosh i ALWAYS HAVE TO GO! and totally feel ya on seeing clients back to back! At WIC we were so slammed every day that I would hold it until I about passed out and my stomach ALWAYS hurt. whoops! with my move meant joblessness so for the most part i dont hold it anymore -- but this is good to know! take pee breaks, woman!

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  18. Hahah I do not hold it! If I gotta go...I go! I know people who literaly don't pee ALL day! I think that's weird.

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  19. Great point to listen to your body signals. My bathroom is well visited, thank you :-) so that's not an issue for me. When I find myself frazzled from to much to do, I often realize I haven't been taking the time to breathe deeply. It's amazing what a few deep breaths can do to calm down my overactive mind! Sounds like it was great talk!

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  20. When I was teaching, I could only pee once or twice during the day. I cut down on water and held it in...two not-so-healthy behaviours! Now I'm learning to drink and to pee. I'm like a toddler.

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  21. Stephanie, it seems there is definitely a work/pee connection depending on the type of work you do. Withholding water to avoid "going" is something I hear a lot of. EA, loved your comment on my way to a meeting I took 5 deep breaths and felt really good, who knew? Erin- I think non-holders don't get how habitual holding it can be. And Jen, are you saying I need to change professions or move?

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  22. This is my favorite post so far....We joke at work that if you are waiting for phone call back from a consult, a critical lab value or there is a cardiac arrest or trauma out there... go to the bathroom and they will all need you. We send patient's surveys about the care they received, my friend (a very well respected excellent ER doctor) received a comment along the lines of "Dr. E was great, wonderful bedside manner, spot on diagnosis and quick treatment, however I saw her go into the ladies room when the ER seemed very busy." How DARE she!!! I often get home from a shift with abdominal pain only to realize I have not peed in over 12 hours! Also, ER doctors are not supposed to drink water either. Someone complained that "Dr. O is standing looking at the computer (of a cat scan of someone with a huge bleed in their brain) talking on the phone (to a neurosurgeon) and drinking water!"

    I hate going to the bedroom at work because I always get called over head as soon as I go, normally for something mundane.....then I tell my patients with UTIs to drink plenty of fluids and empty their bladders often... I refuse to give up my water and tea habit at work, at least it isn't vodka, but don't know how I can fit in going to the loo.

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  23. How dare you Dr O. Maybe you should try the vodka and then tell them they told you not to drink water.

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  24. If you are susceptible to frequent UTIs, you may want to talk to your health care provider to see if there are any other reasons for the infections. Your provider may be able to provide antibiotics to help prevent a recurring infection.

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